Primer brands

[elktrout]

I have loaded Federal, Remington, Winchester, and CCI for over 30 years and never had a complaint (pistol and rifle). That said, the Federal 215 is the only magnum primer I use in my 7mm Weatherby. The 215, at one time, was regarded as the best to use for Wby magnums, so I have always used it and without complaint.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

My best match load for my AR uses a generic WSR, I, have used many of them over the years no problem. My hot .357 load uses Fed SPM primer that is loaded on a Dillon 650 with no problems, the only trouble I, have had is older CCI's can get stuck in the primer feed tubes.

 

[Right Wing Wacko]

I have not been able to tell much of any difference between the primers I've used. I'm sure there is some, but it's not noticable to me.

That being said, I really hate all the extra packaging that Federal puts around their primers, CCI primers fit perfectly in my drawer. I like the Remington Packaging also, nice and small and compact.

With the current shortage, I use what I can get... brand be da*ned.

About the only time I would really prefer a certain primer would be CCI MilSpec primers for my AR15.

 

[BK]

I got started on Winchesters and haven't ever had a reason to dislike them.

 

[Roccobro]

Prove that! No freaking way......I have used upwards of 25K of Fed 150 primers a year loading on a Dillon 550, funny I have never had a kaboom!

This again? Just do a search on any reloading forum. This federal primer issue has been hashed to death.

Justin

 

[hillbillydelux]

I can honestly say I have never read in any of my 7 reloading manuals or the owners manual for any of my 3 reloading presses that warned me against using federal primers. I have used federal primers for years with no explosions. I will say this to help answer your question or to reaffirm what others have said. There IS A DIFFERENCE between primer manufacturers. Any reloading manual will give you the load they developed using a certain bullet, powder, COAL, and primer. However, You can use different primers than the ones recommended but you should start at the minimum recommended load and work your way up watching for "signs of high pressure". Just read your reloading manual and you cant go wrong.

 

[Ky Larry]

Several years ago I bought a bunch of PMC primers in various sizes at Bud's for $4.75 a 1000. These, and a few bricks of MagTech's have carried me thru the current primer shortage. They go bang every time and I can't tell any difference in accuracy. I've mostly used Win primers and will probably go back to them when the current insanity is over. Just my personal preference.
YMMV.

 

[71Commander]

I stay away from Federal because I don't have room to store them. I mean really, is it necessary to pack them like that? You can store 1000 Remingtons in the space 200 Federals take up.

The more sensitive the primer, the more space is required between them in packaging.

I need Federal primers for all my revolvers. My 625 has a 4.5 lb. DA trigger.